Prokofiev’s Oratorio "On Guard for Peace"

PROKOFIEV, SERGEI. (1891-1953). Russian composer and pianist. TLS. With a holograph postscript and corrections. (In Cyrillic “S. Prokofieff” and “S.P.”). 1p. Small 4to. N.p., N.d. [c. 1950]. In Russian with translation.



“Not so long ago, I, together with a poet by the name of Samuil Marshak, wrote an oratorio called ‘On Guard of Peace.’ The words – ‘everyone must fight for the world peace!’ are the main theme of the speech. The first part of the oratorio is about the wounds inflicted on the older generation by the Second World War. The remaining parts are dedicated to the ‘city-hero’ Stalingrad: Conqueror of enemies; peaceful work of the Soviet people, and finally the happy childhood of our boys. Here they go, the children of a friendly family of the people of the Soviet Union, in Moscow, at a peaceful celebration, white doves are thrown high into the air, the blue world. Here they are, Soviet schoolchildren, writing in distinct letters in their notebooks, ‘We don’t need war.’ The voices of children of faraway democracies join their cries – children of the whole world growing and strengthening with every day is the fortress that is guarding the world. I am turning to the well-mannered people of Great Britain to join a common battle. The battle for peace! [Followed by two additional typed lines struck through by hand] S. Prokofiev”



In a holograph postscript, Prokofiev adds:



“I ask you to send me a copy of this article in the same manner as it is to be printed, as well as the date of its publication. S.P.”



A musical prodigy, Prokofiev began his studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of 13, by which point he had already composed four operas. Though he found much of his education boring, it was during this time that Prokofiev began experimenting with composition, producing a series of modernistic works, including his First Piano Concerto, which took first prize in the conservatory’s piano competition. His iconoclastic and dissonant works earned him world renown and led to several compositions commissioned by the Ballets Russes. His fame grew following the 1917 Revolution as he performed and conducted throughout the United States and Europe. Among his well-known works are Peter and the Wolf, Ivan the Terrible, The Fiery Angel, and Romeo and Juliet.



Our letter regards his oratorio On Guard for Peace, Op. 124, which set texts of Russian poet Samuil Y. Marshak (1887-1964) to music over the course of 10 movements, discussed in our letter, the titles of which include “Those Who Are Ten Years Old Today Remember the Nights of War,” “City of Glory: Stalingrad,” “We Do Not Want War,” “Dove of Peace,” “Lullaby,” and “The Entire World is Ready to Wage War Against War.” Prokofiev had enjoyed a prior collaboration with Marshak on his Winter Bonfire, Op. 122. The author was known for his Russian children’s poetry and his translations of English poetry. Commissioned by the Radio Information Committee, Prokofiev struggled against his failing health to compose it; the piece premiered in Moscow on December 19, 1950 with Prokofiev in attendance.



Our statement was probably meant to be published in conjunction with the 1950 World Congress of Champions of Peace in Sheffield, England. The event was widely viewed as a commentary on the Korean War in which South Korea, supported by the United Nations, United States, Great Britain, and their allies, was pitted against Communist North Korea with the backing of China and the Soviet Union. However, British authorities denied visas for many of the Congress’ attendees, including, among others, Dmitri Shostakovich, prompting it to be held, instead, in Warsaw, where the organization was renamed the World Peace Council. A United States Department of State circular described the Council as “spurious Soviet peace propaganda” and British Prime Minister Clement Attlee condemned it as a “bogus forum of peace with the real aim of sabotaging national defense.”



The top portion of the sheet has been trimmed; some wear to the corners, otherwise fine.